anyone else feel like the whole system is rigged against us? like, why is it so complicated just to get the help we need? 🤔

Hey Amelia! I went through this exact same situation last year when my restaurant cut my shifts from 5 days to 2 days a week. Here's what I learned: you'll likely qualify for partial unemployment benefits since your hours were reduced through no fault of your own. The key is to report the change immediately when you do your weekly certification - don't wait! They'll calculate your partial benefits based on the difference between your old wages and new wages. Also, make sure to keep all documentation about the hour reduction (emails, schedules, etc.) because sometimes they ask for proof. The good news is you can still collect benefits while working reduced hours, which really helped me bridge the gap until I found something better. Hang in there! 💪

I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account to share my experience with this Money Network app nightmare. I went through the EXACT same freezing issue about 2 months ago and it nearly drove me insane! What finally worked for me was a combo of several suggestions I've seen here: First, I set up my account completely through the website on my laptop (thanks to whoever mentioned that - game changer!). Then I made sure to use WiFi instead of cellular data when trying the app. But here's the weird part that I haven't seen mentioned yet - I had to turn off my phone's auto-brightness and set it to manual at about 75% brightness. Apparently some phones have display settings that can interfere with the app's verification process. I know it sounds crazy but after I did that, plus waiting about 15 seconds before hitting continue like someone else suggested, it worked perfectly. The whole ordeal took me about 3 weeks to figure out but now the app runs smoothly. Hang in there everyone - it's frustrating but definitely solvable!

I just want to say thank you to everyone who's shared their solutions here! I've been struggling with this same Money Network app freezing issue for over a week now and was getting desperate. Reading through all these different approaches gives me hope that I can actually get this resolved. I'm going to try the website setup first approach that Theodore mentioned, combined with the WiFi connection and waiting 15 seconds before hitting continue. If that doesn't work, I'll definitely call their customer service number that Keisha provided. It's really frustrating that such a basic app has so many technical issues, especially when people are depending on it to access their unemployment benefits. But seeing how many people have eventually gotten it working makes me feel more optimistic. Will update if I find success with any of these methods!

UPDATE: Finally got through to EDD this morning after an hour on hold. Turns out the interviewer DID mark my claim as approved but forgot to actually release the payment! The rep I spoke with today apologized and manually processed it. She said funds should be in my account within 48 hours. Thanks everyone for your advice and support through this stressful situation.

This is exactly why I always screenshot or write down the exact words EDD reps tell me during calls! So many times they'll say something is "taken care of" but then nothing happens in the system. It's like they have good intentions but their internal processes are completely disconnected. Really glad you persisted and got it sorted out - your story will definitely help others who find themselves in the same frustrating situation.

I'm going through something similar right now - exhausted my benefits in February after being laid off from my tech job. What I learned from calling EDD (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) is that you absolutely CAN file a new claim once your benefit year ends, but you need to have earned at least $1,300 in wages during your new base period. The good news is ANY W-2 employment counts - retail, food service, temp work, whatever. I ended up taking a part-time job at Costco just to start earning wages again. It's not glamorous, but it's helping me qualify for a new claim while I continue searching for something in my field. One thing that helped me mentally was realizing this isn't permanent - you're building a bridge to your next opportunity. The accounting field will still be there when you're ready, and having some income is better than burning through savings. Have you checked with your local WorkSource center? They sometimes have job fairs specifically for professional positions.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of exhausted benefits is overwhelming, but you do have options! As others have mentioned, you can file a new claim after your benefit year ends IF you've earned enough qualifying wages. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that some temporary staffing agencies offer benefits and consistent placement opportunities. When I was between jobs last year, I worked with a staffing agency that specialized in accounting and bookkeeping temp work. They kept me busy with different short-term assignments - some lasted a few weeks, others a few months. It helped me stay current with my skills while earning the wages I needed to qualify for a new UI claim. Also, don't overlook seasonal opportunities coming up - many businesses need temporary accounting help for year-end closing and tax season preparation. These positions often pay well and can provide exactly the type of W-2 wages you need. Hang in there - this is a temporary setback, not a permanent situation. The job market is tough right now, but your 8 years of experience will serve you well once the right opportunity comes along.

One more tip - if your claim is stuck in pending, sometimes sending a message through your UI Online account can help. Click on "Contact Us" in your UI Online homepage and select "Where is my payment?" as the category. Be specific about how long it's been pending. Sometimes this flags your account for review faster than calling.

This is such valuable information! I wish I had seen this post before I made the same mistake last week. Spent 2 hours at my local AJCC office only to be told they couldn't even look up my claim status. The staff was nice but clearly frustrated having to explain this to multiple people every day. It really seems like EDD should put up clearer signage or warnings on their website about which offices handle what. For anyone else struggling with pending claims, I've also heard that calling the Spanish language line (even if you speak English) sometimes has shorter wait times - the reps are bilingual and can help with English claims too.